World Cup semifinals: Argentina 2-0 Croatia

Messi and Alvarez scored within five minutes to get Argentina ahead.

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39′

2-0 for Argentina!

Alvarez went all the way from his side of the field with his pace, past all defenders and scored with a simple finish. Argentina off to a dream start.
34′

Argentina scored first!

Messi lashed the penalty into the top right. Livakovic goes the right way, but he couldn’t save it. 1-0 for Argentina.
32′

Penalty for Argentina

Julian Alvarez sprinted down the box and was fouled by goalkeeper Livakovic. Messi to take the penalty.
27′

Brilliant play from Kovacic, who won the ball off Messi and started an attack down the middle, dribbling past a few players. He passed to Kramaric on his right. Kramaric was fouled by Tagliafico and a free kick was given to Croatia.
22′

Messi tried to dribble inside the box but couldn’t get past Croatia defenders.
Rodrigo De Paul (L) puts pressure on Ivan Perisic. Photo by Reuters
14′

Messi tried to chase after a pass and was intercepted by Gvardiol on the edge of the box. He wanted a free kick but the referee denied it.
8′

Argentina had better possession (52%) but haven’t had any shot on goal.
5′

Modric made a pass down the left for Perisic, who crossed the ball into Argentina’s box, hoping to find a Croatia player, but goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez quickly claimed the ball.
1′

Game on!

Argentina play the game in their traditional white and blue jersey, while Croatia in the navy away kit.

Argentina made two changes in the starting eleven that won on penalties against the Netherlands for Tuesday’s World Cup semi-final against Croatia, who named an unchanged line-up.

Nicolas Tagliafico will start as left-back in place of suspended Marcos Acuna while Leandro Paredes comes into midfield with defender Lisandro Martinez on the bench.

Croatia will start with the same team that beat Brazil, also on penalties, in the quarterfinals.

Argentina: Emiliano Martinez, Cristian Romero, Nicolas Otamendi, Nahuel Molina, Nicolas Tagliafico, Leandro Paredes, Rodrigo De Paul, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernandez, Julian Alvarez, Lionel Messi.

Croatia: Dominik Livakovic, Borna Sosa, Ivan Perisic, Dejan Lovren, Mateo Kovacic, Andrej Kramaric, Luka Modric, Marcelo Brozovic, Mario Pasalic, Josko Gvardiol, Josip Juranovic.